West Indies's quest for first win against India since 2002 

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

1. Kraigg Brathwaite has odds of 4.53 to be West Indies's best batsman in this Test Match.  
2. Virat Kohli has odds of 4.51 to be the best batsman for India in this Test Match.  
3. Kemar Roach has odds of 3.21 to be the best bowler for West Indies  
4. Mohammad Siraj has odds of 3.43 to be India's best bowler  

MATCH PREVIEW     

West Indies and India would battle it in the 1st Test Match of the two-match Test Series at Windsor Park. It will be an important game for both teams as they look to put recent upsets behind them. West Indies missed the ticket to the World Cup in the recent ICC Qualifiers, which is a new low for the former champions, and they will look to do well here to erase some of those memories. Indians, on the other hand, would need to overcome their recent debacle against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship. With the stakes high for both teams, we expect an intense encounter in this game.  

West Indies Preview      

Kraigg Brathwaite is leading a team that has seen several changes. It will be an understatement to say the side will be under pressure after their poor show during the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. Their record against India has been very poor, and they last won in 2002. Since then, they have drawn nine games and lost on twelve occasions. The players must stand up to this challenge and do well in this game.   

Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul are key players for the side, and the first wicket stand between them will be crucial for the side's fortunes. The side would need a good show in the middle order from Jermaine Blackwood, Alick Athanaze, and the experienced Jason Holder. Joshua Da Silva must add runs in the lower middle order with Rakheen Cornwall.  

They have a strong pace attack and shall expect a good show with the new ball from Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach. Jason Holder must put his experience to good and do well with Alzzari Joseph to trouble the Indian batters. Jomel Warrican shall look to use the old ball and do well alongside Cornwall. 

Expected Starting XI for West Indies     

Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Jermaine Blackwood, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alick Athanaze, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jomel Warrican 

India Preview     

Rohit Sharma and his men would look to overcome the grief of being runner-up in the ICC Test Championship for the second consecutive time. It is a new series, and the Indian skipper would look to make a positive start after all the criticism they attracted with a poor outing against Australia. They have made changes with the future in mind. Sharma shall like his players to draw inspiration from their good record against West Indies.   

Rohit Sharma has to lead from the front and deliver a good start with Shubman Gill, who looks to establish his place in the side. It will be a big day for Yashasvi Jaiswal at No. 3, and he will look to do well with the experienced Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the middle order. Kohli has a good record against West Indies. Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ishan Kishan add depth to this line-up.  

Mohammad Siraj must settle in the role as the spearhead of the pace attack and do well with the new ball along with debutant Mukesh Kumar. Shardul Thakur has done well in the opportunities that have come his way and has an important role in this game. Jadeja and Ashwin are an experienced spin-bowling pair, and they have to inflict maximum damage on their opponents.  

Expected Starting XI for India     

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mukesh Kumar 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

The toss will be crucial here. This surface is known for assisting bowlers on the first day and becomes easy to bat on from Day 2 onward. Most teams have won games here chasing the score. Hence, the side winning the toss in this game won't hesitate to bowl first.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The weather shall be cloudy on the first two days of the match and improve as the game progresses. Fast bowlers will enjoy bowling on this track on Day 1, but we expect the conditions to be good for the batters. The side batting first in this game shall look to have 400 runs on the board.  

OUR PREDICTION      

West Indies has to battle against history. They have struggled in the game's longest format, and it won't be easy for the new players to come and strike gold. Their batsmen must put runs on the board for the side to do well in this game. Indians have a well-balanced side with depth in batting and an attack suited for these conditions. According to all bookmakers in India, they will start favorites in this game.  

Our Prediction is for India to win